Death Penalty

This essay Death Penalty has a total of 855 words and 3 pages.
Death Penalty

Death Penalty

For many years the United States has been battling the issues of the death penalty. Many people are divided, not just our legislators, but citizens, religious groups, victims of violence, and families that have been affected from a loved one put on death row. There are many arguments for people against and for the death penalty. Some people say that the death penalty mainly targets minorities and that the juries in many of these trials are mostly white people, sentencing the offender. When there is a white victim, some statistics show that the offender is more likely to receive the death penalty. With the advancement in technology and improved DNA testing, many people on death row have been exonerated from the crimes completely.
Opponents of the death penalty make quite a few claims, all of which could be valid points. Some of the claims include; it doesnít deter crime, execution of innocent people, every human life is sacred, the state would be lowering morals to that of a murderer, it doesnít have a set standard nationally, targets minorities, goes against most religious beliefs, inhumane and barbaric, life imprisonment is a better alternative. The biggest reason that I would be against the death penalty, would be the execution of an innocent person. Opponents of capital punishment say it has no deterrent effect on crime, wrongly gives governments the power to take human life, and continues social discriminations by targeting minorities and people who cannot afford good attorneys. . A common argument against the death penalty is the large percentage of minorities that are put to death by the state, and this has led to many accusations of existing racism. They say lifetime jail sentences are a more severe and less expensive punishment than death.
Advocates for the death penalty donít want to waste tax dollars on lifetime incarceration. We need to change our system so that defendants are properly represented, and if the evidence clearly proves the defendant guilty. They should be put to death immediately after the sentence is imposed. The victim/ or victims of the crime werenít able to extend their life, the defendant didnít have a care in the world about his victim or family members. The death penalty also helps reduce the population problems in our prisons. Too many murderers are just sitting in a prison cell, appealing their sentence. We need due process to protect victims as well. Punishment of this kind would be a deterrent for future crimes committed. Peace of mind can be brought to those families affected by these criminals, with the safety of knowing that these people have no possibility of hurting again. With new technology and DNA testing we can be sure that the true criminal will be put to death. Advocates of the death penalty say it is an important tool for preserving law and order, deters crime, and costs less than life imprisonment. They argue that justice ďan eye for an eye" is what the victim deserves, and helps comfort grieving families, and ensures that the offenders of these horrible crimes never have an opportunity to hurt again. The death penalty provides a very important element to the families of the murdered; closure to the victimsí families is the most important reason why I support of the death penalty. A fair system of justice, is one of the key features of the United States as a nation. Victims of crimes look to the government to have people brought to justice. Our country has often seen the death penalty as a form of justice to the family. The wide spread availability of DNA testing in cases involving capital punishment has allowed for a massive decreased risk of an innocent man being convicted. Before the availability of this technology, there was a much greater chance of an innocent person being sentenced to death. Additionally, the death penalty serves as a crime deterrent, the possibility of being put to death stops many who would otherwise commit crimes from going through with these acts. Of all possible punishments, none are feared more than death. Those convicted of violent crimes clearly prefer life in prison to execution, if not; they would not attempt to be sentenced to life in prison

Read essay without registering

Donate an essay now and get the full essay emailed you. Upload File
Acceptable files: .txt, .doc, .docx, .rtfEmail Address

Topics Related to Death Penalty

Human rights, Capital punishment, Penology, Capital punishment debate in the United States, Capital punishment in the United States

Essays Related to Death Penalty

Human RightsHumanRights On December tenth 1948 in the Palis de Chaillot in Paris, the United Nation's General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of HumanRights. The document is made up of thirty articles which deal with a series of basic humanrights and duties. It follows the premise that the declaration is a common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teach

Sam AdamsSam Adams Every so often, a man of true passion is born. A man exceedingly dedicated to his principles, and very firm in his beliefs. Samuel Adams was such a man. Adams was a patriot, and one of the more influential men in the colonies. However, even as a patriot, he did not support the Constitution. How could such a patriot be an anti-federalist? Once again, it all comes down to an issue of beliefs. Samuel Adams was born on September 27, 1722. He was the son of a successful merchant and malter.

Maya AngelouMaya Angelou A poet, an author, a play-write, an actress, a mother, a civil-rights activists, historian and most important a survivor. Perhaps Maya Angelou, award winning author of many books is one of the most influential African Americans in American history. I believe that she rates at the top of the list of American authors, with Hemingway, Hawthorne, and Voight. I believe through my research and reading of Maya Angelou that she should be among the members of The American Authors Hall of Fam

Martha BallardMartha Ballard We as a society are fortunate. We have the luxury of advanced technology to include: computers, telephones, video teleconferencing equipment, cellular phones, beepers, and hospitals with the latest gadgets and gizmos. Our technology is available only because of documented historical accounts. Our idea of work is having to get in our vehicles and driving to our destination and sometimes sitting behind a desk all day to push paper; the worst any of us suffers is a traffic jam here o

Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud Many believe Freud to be the father of modern psychiatry and psychology and the only psychiatrist of any worth. He is certainly the most well known figure, perhaps because sex played such a prominent role in his system. There are other psychologists, however, whose theories demand respectful consideration. Erik Erickson, born Eric Homburger, whose theories while not as titillating as Freud's, are just as sound. This paper will compare the two great men and their systems. In additio

Cherubic DemonsCherubic Demons Virginia Woolf was a professional writer who made many important contributions to the progress of women and women?s rights. She was born in 1882 during a time -- the middle of the Victorian era -- in which the feminine ideal that she struggled against so much was very prevalent; the ideal women was thought to be passive, pretty, and proper. ?The Angel in the House? was Woolf?s term for the internalized ideal against which she strove to overcome. Her father was a writer too; he wa

Affirmative Action Affirmative Action Jean Miller #43252 American Heritage 100 7:00 am - 7:50 am M, W, F Brother J. Baker Affirmative Action Affirmative action is a growing argument among our society. It is multifaceted and very often defined vaguely. Some can define affirmative action as the ability to strive for equality and inclusiveness. Others might see it as a quota-based system for different minority groups. ?Affirmative action was originally designed to help minorities? (Gross, 1996). Is affirmative actio

Anne RiceAnne Rice Anne Rice: A Fascinating Story Because of her fascination with the supernatural, her life in New Orleans, and her daughter?s death, Anne Rice exhibits powerful and dark emotions in her writings. Anne Rice?s family life was not always a happy one. Her family was one of the lower middle class, struggling to make it. Katherine, her mother, became stressed over keeping a household and took to drinking. (Ramsland, 41) Anne?s mom continued this habit throughout her life. I feel that this dri

Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson Born to Irish immigrants on March 15, 1767, Andrew Jackson was to become the first rags to riches President the country had ever seen. He grew up in South Carolina and fought in the Revolutionary War at only thirteen. His entire immediate family, parents and siblings, died as a cause of the war, whether it was being killed in battle or death from disease. He went on to serve two terms as the seventh President of the U.S., leaving behind a legacy of administrative policy and even

The Reign Of Terror The Reign of Terror History is said to be written by the winners, but is it possible to rewrite history? In a way, the French, like many who have preceded them, and many who will proceed them have done the impossible, rewriting history. From trivial folklore, such as George Washington chopping down a cherry tree, to the incredibly wrong, the African slave trade; people's views of history can be shaped and molded. The French have done a superb job of instilling all of us with the concept that th

The Life Of Aristotle The Life of Aristotle When Plato died in 347 bc, Aristotle moved to Assos, a city in Asia Minor, where a friend of his, Hermias (died 345 bc), was ruler. There he counseled Hermias and married his niece and adopted daughter, Pythias. After Hermias was captured and executed by the Persians, Aristotle went to Pella, the Macedonian capital, where he became the tutor of the king's young son Alexander, later known as Alexander the Great. In 335, when Alexander became king, Aristotle returned to Athe

The Blackfoot Indians The Blackfoot Indians The wind blows across the lone prairie, causing the golden heads of grass to sway in a synchronized motion. On the horizon stands a herd of buffalo with bowed heads silhouetted by the slowly sinking sun. In the east stands an Indian war party mounted on horseback, each individual in different multicolored attire, all with either bows or spears in hand. As they move in for the attack, the mystical scene slowly fades from vision.... This dreamlike scene was once everyday lif

Modern European History Modern European History 1. What did Paul Valery mean in saying that the mind of Europe doubted itself profoundly? Before 1914, people in Europe believed in progress, peace, prosperity, reason, and rights of individuals. During that time, people began to believe in the Enlightenment, industrial developments were just starting and scientific advances began to take place. People then really believed in progression and further developments. Unfortunately, World War I broke out. Nevertheless, the op

Creationism Vs. EvolutionCreationism vs. Evolution In my short life on this planet I have come to question things that many take upon blind faith. We all know that we must some day die; yet we continuously deny the forces at work inside ourselves, which want to search out the answers of what may or may not come after. It is far easier for humanity to accept that they will go to a safe haven and be rewarded for their lives with pleasures and fantasies of an unfathomable scale than to question the existence of a supposed

Capital PunishmentCapital Punishment When turning on the television, radio, or simply opening the local newspaper, one is bombarded with news of arrests, murders, homicides, serial killers, and other such tragedies. It is a rare occasion to go throughout a day in this world and not hear of these things. So what should be done about this crime rate? Not only is it committing a crime, but today, it is signing your life over to the government. This is a risk one is taking when he decides to pull a trigger or plunge

Multiculturalism In CanadaMulticulturalism in Canada Canada has long been called The Mosaic, due to the fact that it is made up of a varied mix of races, cultures and ethnicities. As more and more immigrants come to Canada searching for a better life, the population naturally becomes more diverse. This has, in turn, spun a great debate over multiculturalism. Some of the issues under fire are the political state's policies concerning multiculturalism, the attitudes of Canadians around these policies, immigration, the gl

Womens Rights Movement 1848-1998Women's Rights Movement 1848-1998 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. That was Margaret Mead's conclusion after a lifetime of observing very diverse cultures around the world. Her insight has been borne out time and again throughout the development of this country of ours. Being allowed to live life in an atmosphere of religious freedom, having a voice in the government you support with your taxes, li

Immigration & Americas FutureImmigration & America's Future The world has gone through a revolution and it has changed a lot. We have cut the death rates around the world with modern medicine and new farming methods. For example, we sprayed to destroy mosquitoes in Sri Lanka in the 1950s. In one year, the average life of everyone in Sri Lanka was extended by eight years because the number of people dying from malaria suddenly declined. This was a great human achievement. But we cut the death rate without cutting the birth r

Human RightsHumanRightsHumanrights are universal, indivisible and interdependent. Humanrights are what make us human. When we speak of the right to life, or development, or to dissent and diversity, we are speaking of tolerance. Tolerance will ensure all freedoms. Without it, we can be certain of none. The raging ethnic cleansing in Kosovo is an example of intolerance. The Serbians will not tolerate the Albanians at any cost. They are forcing them from their homes, turning the streets into killing field

AbortionAbortion The word abortion by definition means, naturally or especially induced expulsion of a fetus from the womb before it is able to survive independently, according to the American Century Dictionary. This is one subject that, when mentioned, completely polarizes individuals. Abortion poses a moral, social and medical dilemma that faces many individuals to create a emotional and sometimes violent atmosphere. There are many points of view toward abortion but the only two fine distinctions are

Gender Equality In The 1990sGender Equality In The 1990's Overall, the rights and status of women have improved considerably in the last century; however, gender equality has recently been threatened within the last decade. Blatantly sexist laws and practices are slowly being eliminated while social perceptions of women's roles continue to stagnate and even degrade back to traditional ideals. It is these social perceptions that challenge the evolution of women as equal on all levels. In this study, I will argue that subt

AbortionAbortion Abortion is defined as the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus is capable of independent life. Abortions must be conducted before the end of six months or the fetus will leave the womb and it would be considered premature birth. If the fetus weighs less than 18 ounces or is less than 20 weeks into pregnancy, it is usually considered an abortion. There are two types of abortions. One is spontaneous and the other is induced. Spontaneous abortions are known y another name, miscarri

Euthanasia In Our Society TodayEuthanasia in our society today Euthanasia is a controversial subject, not only because there are many different moral dilemmas associated with it, but also in what constitutes its definition. At the extreme ends of disagreement, advocates say euthanasia (which in Greek means easy death) is a good, or merciful, death. Opponents of euthanasia say it is a fancy word for murder. Between the two extremes, there are various positions for and against euthanasia. One position opposes cases of active

Environmental ActivismEnvironmental Activism 1. The large mainstream environmentalism groups started to compromise too much with regulatory agencies and bureaus, starting with the Glen Canyon Dam project. This began an estrangement with the mainstreams that culminated in the rise of more militant groups like Earth First! Glen Canyon represented what was fundamentally wrong with the country's conservation policies: arrogant government officials motivated by a quasireligious zeal to industrialize the natural world, and

Death PenaltyDeath Penalty Electric chair, gas chamber, lethal injection, firing squad, hanging, guillotine, and garroting. When you hear these words what do you think of? Do you feel frightened? When some hear these words they tend to say, Oh they deserve it. In the court system that is not always the case. The question you always have to ask yourself is what did the accused do and do they deserve the death penalty? What is bad enough to deserve death? Are their certain crimes that do and then some that

Cloning: Why We Shouldnt Be Against ItCloning: Why we shouldn't be against it You have been told that you are unique. The belief that there is no one else like you in the whole world made you feel special and proud. This belief may not be true in the future. The world was stunned by the news in late February 1997 that a British embryologist named Ian Wilmut and his research team had successfully cloned a lamb named Dolly from an adult sheep. Dolly was created by replacing the DNA of one sheep's egg with the DNA of another sheep's ud

Cloning Is Ethically And Morally WrongCloning is Ethically and Morally Wrong The question shakes us all to our very souls. For humans to consider the cloning of one another forces them all to question the very concepts of right and wrong that make them all human. The cloning of any species, whether they be human or non-human, is ethically and morally wrong. Scientists and ethicists alike have debated the implications of human and non-human cloning extensively since 1997 when scientists at the Roslin Institute in Scotland produced Do

AbortionAbortion As of right now, abortion is legal in all nine months of the pregnancy for any reason. This controversial issue is a question of how important the value of life is. The turning point came in 1973 when the Supreme Court's decision in Roe vs. Wade saying, that women have the right to murder an innocent child only up to 24 weeks . This false perception is fueled part by groups supporting abortion rights and it is then uncritically unaccepted by the media. The fact is that the current law a

EuthenasiaEuthenasia Euthanasia is one of society's more widely, and hotly debated moral issues of our time. More directly, active euthanasia, which by definition, is; Doing something, such as administering a lethal drug, or using other means that cause a person's death.1 Passive euthanasia, defined as; Stopping (or not starting) some treatment, which allows a person to die, the person's condition causes his or her death,2 seems not to be as debated, perhaps not as recognized, as it's counterpart. I h

Capital PunishmentCapital Punishment There are five basic reasons that society uses when imposing punishment that I've been able to conclude from my readings. I will discuss these societal concepts and show that the death penalty does not serve to further them. As a result William Smith should not be subject to the death penalty and in fact the same should be abolished from our system of punishment. Deterrence Deterrence is basically defined as the punishment should fit the crime. Under this concept, the in

AbortionAbortion Abortion is the ending of pregnancy before birth and is morally wrong. An abortion results in the death of an embryo or a foetus. Abortion destroys the lives of helpless, innocent children and illegal in many countries. By aborting these unborn infants, humans are hurting themselves; they are not allowing themselves to meet these new identities and unique personalities. Abortion is very simply wrong. Everyone is raised knowing the difference between right and wrong. Murder is wrong, so

Animal Rights - The Rights Of AnimalsAnimal Rights - The Rights of Animals Animal rights is a catchphrase akin to humanrights. It involves, however, a few pitfalls. First, animals exist only as a concept. Otherwise, they are cuddly cats, curly dogs, cute monkeys. A rat and a puppy are both animals but our emotional reaction to them is so different that we cannot really lump them together. Moreover: what rights are we talking about? The right to life? The right to be free of pain? The right to food? Except the right to free speech

AbortionAbortion Many have pondered upon the meaning of abortion. The argument being that every child born should be wanted, and others who believe that every child conceived should be born (Sass vii). This has been a controversial topic for years. Many people want to be able to decide the destiny of others. Everyone in the United States is covered under the United States constitution, and under the 14th Amendment women have been given the choice of abortion. In 1973, Harry A. Blackmun wrote the majorit

Animal Rights - Medical Testing On AnimalsAnimal Rights - Medical Testing On Animals Animals have been used in medical research for centuries. Most of the animals used for research are rodents - rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils. Some dogs, cats and a variety of goats, ferrets, pigeons, monkeys and rabbits are also used .The struggle against this tyranny is a struggle as important as any of the moral and social issues that have been fought over in recent years. Animal rights are an emotional issue-second only, perhaps, to the bitter abor

Animal Rights - Do We Really Love Our Animals?Animal Rights - Do We Really Love Our Animals? Do you consider yourself a pet lover? Do you love animals in general? Can you imagine yourself as a little boy in a trailer far away from the depths of socialization? Once upon a time there was this boy, and this boy had a friend. No matter how hard times got he had Bo. The boy was incredibly happy because he had always dreamed of having a dog like that, a companion. Then your friend dies and you are left standing. Can you imagine the pain? Nobody l

Animal Rights - Cause For VegetarianismAnimal Rights - Cause for Vegetarianism The choice of eating meat or not has been a debated issue for a continued number of years. There have long since been two sides: the proponents and opponents of meat consumption. More and more debates of its value and effect on the world have risen. Many claim it is wrong, while others think of it as a needed pleasure. Today, a greater percentage of the population eats meat. Only a few individuals seek the alternative route. Yet, there has been a steady ri

Animal Rights - TestingAnimal Rights - Testing ISSUE: For the most part, we would not be able to live very comfortably without them. The question of what is considered proper treatment of animals has been highly debated by groups looking at both the moral and ethical issues of the situation. What exactly is our proper role with regard to non-human creatures? Do they have any rights, or may we do as we please with them? These are questions that politicians all over the world have been arguing about for many years, and

Animal RightsAnimal Rights One of the most touchy aspects of our relationship with animals is the use of animals in laboratory sciences. Some manufactures of cosmetics and household products still conduct painful and useless tests on live animals, even though no law requires them to do so. Some people, called anti-vivisectionists, are at one extreme in their concern. They want an abolition of all experiments on live animals. At the other extreme there are those who say that it is quite all right for us to do

Animal RightsAnimal Rights For the past 20 years, there has a been an on going heated debate on whether experiments on animals for the benefit of medical and scientific research is ethical. Whether it is or isn't, most people believe that some form of cost-benefit test should be performed to determine if the action is right. The costs include: animal pain, distress and death where the benefits include the collection of new knowledge or the development of new medical therapies for humans. Looking into these d

Animal RightsAnimal Rights Animals have been used in medical research for centuries. In a recent count, it was determined that 8,815 animals were being used for research at MSU, 8,503 of them rodents - rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils. There were 18 dogs, three cats and a variety of goats, ferrets, pigeons and rabbits. The struggle against this tyranny is a struggle as important as any of the moral and social issues that have been fought over in recent years. Animal rights are an emotional issue-second only

Animal RightsAnimal Rights As Doctor Zola-Morgan stated in a speech to animal right activists, I've seen the impact of the animal rights movement. I believe this is an attack on science of the worst kind. If we allow it to prevail it will take us back to the dark ages. Too much of the public has come to think of medical researchers as tormenters rather than healers. The good is overlooked and the bad is exploited. Although many people think that animal research is morally wrong, animal research should co

Abortion - The Ethics Of AbortionAbortion - The Ethics Of Abortion Abortion is a very controversial subject that has been continually argued over for the past few years and probably many years to come. The main controversy is should abortion be legalized? First before we get into the many sides of abortion we must first define abortion. Abortion is the destruction of the fetus or unborn child while the child is still in the mothers womb. This can be done by almost anyone from the mother herself to back alley abortions and even

Abortion - The Aborted ContractAbortion - The Aborted Contract The issue of abortion is emotionally loaded and this often makes for poor, not thoroughly thought out arguments. The questions: Is abortion immoral and Is abortion a murder are often confused. The pregnancy (and the resulting foetus) are discussed in terms normally reserved to natural catastrophes (force majeure, in legal lingo). At times, the embryo is compared to cancer: after all, they are both growths, clusters of cells. The difference, of course, is that

AbortionAbortion During the past quarter century, abortion has joined race and war as one of the most debatable subject of controversy in the United States. It discusses human interaction where ethics, emotions and law come together. Abortion poses a moral, social and medical dilemma that faces many individuals to create a emotional and violent atmosphere. There are many points of view toward abortion but the only two fine distinctions are pro-choice and pro-life. A pro-choicer would feel that the d

Abortion - Reilyism SpeechAbortion - Reilyism Speech The founding of entire nation was forged on the principle that all men are created equal under the law. This is the essence of our Declaration of Independance and the philosophy behind the Constition. We, through history, have made certain that ALL people in this country have equality before the law. We have set uup the premise that all people are equal before the law. Lady Justice is blind to Race, Religion, _________ . We have declared that there is no such thing as

Abortion - History Of Abortion In The CourtAbortion - History of abortion in the Court Abortion. The word alone provokes strong emotion in both women and men alike. Roe v. Wade was decided twenty five years ago, but still the fight is not over. Instead, there are mass rallies, bombings of abortion clinics, murders of doctors and workers at such clinics, intimidation, arrest, political lobbying, and numerous Supreme Court cases. What is it that divides families, and keeps old friends from speaking to one another on the topic? Why are opin

Abortion: When Is The Beginning Of Personhood?Abortion: When Is The Beginning Of Personhood? When is the Beginning of Personhood? During the past quarter century, abortion has joined race and war as one of the most contentious subjects of controversy in the United States. It discusses human interaction where ethics, emotions, and law collaborate. Many have contemplated upon the meaning of abortion. One argument is that every child born should be wanted. The people in lieu of this theory are often referred to as Pro-choice activists. The opp

PrisonPrison We all know that our prisons are the final frontier for the socially rejected criminals and violent offenders. We know that our prisons are so overcrowded that the Supreme Court of California issued a court order to reduce the number of inmates. We know that since there are more inmates in prison the chance of getting rehabilitated is very slim. And we also know that the ratio of supervision of guard to inmate is extremely high. But do we know what goes on in our prisons and jails? We kno

Abortion - Life Or Death - Who ChoosesAbortion - Life or Death - Who Chooses In Roman times, abortion and the destruction of unwanted children was permissible, but as our civilization has aged, it seems that such acts were no longer acceptable by rational human beings, so that in 1948, Canada along with most other nations in the world signed a declaration of the United Nations promising every human being the right to life. The World Medical Association meeting in Geneve at the same time, stated that the utmost respect for human life

Womens Rights In 3rd World CounrtiesWomen's Rights in 3rd World Counrties Women?s Rights in 3rd World Countries There was a young woman who left her home in Mycrorayan in Kabul, Afghanistan for Peshawar after the January 1994 fighting and told Amnesty International of the following situation. One day when my father was walking past a building complex he heard screams of women coming from an apartment block which had just been captured by forces of General Dostum. He was told by the people that Dostum's guards had entered the bloc